St. Petersburg Times

Letters to the Editor
Published May 5, 2006

Link:Click here

Re: Al-Arian sentencing.

It was shocking and surprising to find federal Judge James Moody exercising his right of free speech in the courtroom at the sentencing hearing for Dr. Sami Al-Arian on Monday. Perhaps a pro-Israeli, progovernment rally might have been a more appropriate place for him to vent his anger and biases. His behavior may have pleased certain newspaper editors and the prosecution, but it was unprofessional and unethical. A federal judge, as representative of our country’s independent judiciary, has an obligation to rule based on the facts, the jury’s verdict, and the plea agreement reached by the defense and prosecution and which the judge signed.

The judge had no right to make accusations about Dr. Al-Arian promoting violence and deaths when the jury acquitted him on those charges and the prosecution acknowledged in the plea agreement that his actions did not contribute directly or indirectly to violence. The judge used these unfounded and biased statements as justification for giving Dr. Al-Arian the maximum prison sentence of 57 months. Not only is this totally unfair and a miscarriage of justice, but it provides the final proof that this case was a political prosecution and that Dr. Al-Arian and Sameeh Hammoudeh are political prisoners of our war on terrorism. Our government is violating some of our most important principles of justice, such as “innocent until proven guilty,” and many of our civil liberties and constitutional rights. Muslims are guilty until proven innocent and when found not guilty by a jury in a federal court of law, continue to be incarcerated.

I urge all fair and freedom-loving Americans to speak out against these abuses and injustices and to help restore our freedom and rights.

Pilar Saad, Tampa

A final vindictive act

Re: Judge sentences Al-Arian to limit, May 2.

The sentence given Dr. Sami Al-Arian by Judge James Moody stunned many. In spite of both defense and government recommendations for a lower sentence, the judge chose to impose the maximum – 57 months – another year and a half of prison time.

Moody’s reasoning parroted the government allegations, charges the jury found unsupported by the myriad of evidence prosecutors presented. Al-Arian’s calm affirmation of trust in the American jury offered a sharp contrast to the biting words of the judge who labeled Al-Arian “a master manipulator” and claimed evidence showed Al-Arian was a leader in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and was connected to violent acts in Israel. It defined the judge’s political and personal bias and degraded the judgment of jurors.

Trial by a jury of one’s peers is one of our country’s most cherished rights. Co-defendant Sameeh Hammoudeh, acquitted of all charges, languishes in a detention cell awaiting deportation. Why? Was he to be a “pawn” to testify against Al-Arian in the event of a new trial? He would not lie and remains detained.

The final words of the judge showed disrespect for the jury verdict. The heavy-handed sentence was the final vindictive act of a powerful government. It sent a clear message to the people.

Doris Norrito, Largo